A performance of Shakespeare’s Richard III in Berlin took an unexpected turn Friday evening when actor Lars Eidinger’s sword slipped from his hand during a scene and struck an audience member, DutchNews.nl reported.
The incident occurred toward the end of the play, as Eidinger, portraying the titular king plagued by guilt, was enacting a particularly intense moment. The sword’s hilt hit a woman in the front row, causing a head wound.
Eidinger immediately stopped the performance and turned on the house lights to assess the situation. Upon seeing the woman bleeding, he asked if a doctor was present in the audience, and one came forward to provide assistance.
According to reports, an ambulance was not required, but Eidinger was too shaken to continue the play, forcing the audience to depart before the final scenes.
The Schaubühne theater, where the production has been running for over a decade to sold-out crowds, is now reviewing its staging to determine if adjustments are needed, given the close proximity of the audience to the stage. The intimate setting is often described as creating a particularly intense experience for viewers.
Eidinger, known internationally for his roles in the German crime drama Babylon Berlin and the miniseries All the Light We Cannot Witness, as well as recent appearances in Jay Kelly with George Clooney, is too slated to play Brainiac in the upcoming Superman film. He also works as a DJ, and rapper.
The theater and Eidinger contacted the injured woman Saturday morning to check on her condition. Performances scheduled for this weekend are still expected to proceed as planned. This incident underscores the inherent risks—and captivating energy—of live theater, where the line between performance and reality can sometimes blur.
EuropeSays.com detailed that the woman suffered a wound to her head that required stitches.
NewsMinimalist.com also reported on the incident, noting the intensity of the scene in which the accident occurred.
